Robinson Crusoe

Novel | Daniel Defoe

Allegorical Significance of Defoe's Novel “Robinson Crusoe.” 

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Write a note on the allegorical significance of Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe Allegory is a type of story where the characters events and places represent deeper moral spiritual or political meanings The outer story is simple but the inner meaning gives a big lesson about life faith or society Daniel Defoe s - Robinson Crusoe is not only a story of survival or surface incident It also has a deeper meaning Crusoe s life shows the journey of the human soul He learns to obey God and trust Him His time on the island shows faith sin hard work and learning So the story is more than it looks It is an allegory of human life Sin and Punishment Crusoe disobeys his father He leaves home and goes to sea This disobedience is like man's sin against God Later his ship sinks He becomes alone on an island This is

like God s punishment for sin Crusoe feels regret This part shows the fall of man and the result of sin The island becomes a place of correction So it has a deep allegorical meaning Repent and Pray On the island Crusoe becomes sick He feels weak and helpless He thinks he will die He reads the Bible and prays He reads Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify Me He feels sorry for his past life He begins to believe in God This is an allegory for spiritual awakening Crusoe s prayer and reading show man s return to God His soul starts to heal He becomes a better man This shows a strong religious meaning Faith and Peace After praying Crusoe feels peace in his heart He reads the Bible every day He lives a simple and honest life He stops complaining and becomes thankful His faith makes him strong and calm He says I sincerely gave thanks to God for opening my eyes Crusoe s change shows the spiritual journey of man It teaches that belief in God brings peace Hard Work and Hope Crusoe does not sit idle He works hard every day He builds a house grows food and makes tools He keeps a daily record of life His work shows the duty of man on earth It teaches patience honesty and hard work He says I had now lived two years under this uneasiness His hope never dies He continues his life It tells us to work and trust God Friday and Brotherhood Crusoe saves Friday and teaches him He teaches him English and religion Friday becomes a Christian They live together and help each other Though Friday is from a different land Crusoe treats him kindly This is a symbol of love beyond culture Island as Own Land Crusoe thinks the island belongs to him He says I was lord of the whole manor He gives names to places like a king He builds a home sets rules and controls the land He sees no other person but still calls it his land This shows a strong colonial idea This thinking is common in colonial times Crusoe becomes the owner of the island without asking anyone This is also another hidden picture in this novel In short Robinson Crusoe is full of hidden meanings Crusoe s life is not only about being lost It shows the journey from sin to faith live to rule It shows the soul's return to God His hard work shows a man s duty in life All these give the story allegorical value Defoe teaches us about life faith and hope through Crusoe s journey

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